Liane Moriarty’s sequel novel, “Big Little Truths”, returns to the characters from “Big Little Lies” a decade later and is intended to provide the basis for a potential third HBO season. The story matters for fans because it revisits the mothers’ unresolved trauma around Perry’s death while introducing a new threat involving exploitation of schoolchildren.

The novel, released on 25 August, follows Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata and Bonnie as their now-15-year-old children confront high-school pressures and learn more about the past. Its central mystery begins with a severed finger sent to a principal, but leads to the exposure of teacher Melody and her husband Seth, who allegedly manipulate gifted pupils into dangerous situations; former pupil Clara Long sent the finger to draw attention to the abuse. HBO has not officially ordered, produced or scheduled “Big Little Lies” Season 3, and the book remains set in Australia rather than the series’ Monterey setting.